ON Aug 8, we shall commemorate Asean Day as Asean was established on Aug 8, 1967. After 43 years in existence, Asean has come a long way as a regional organisation though some continue to doubt its effectiveness.
Asean has crafted several long-erm plans such as Asean 2025 and have rolled out many masterplans .
I had the opportunity of representing Malaysia on the High Level Task on Connectivity, which developed the first Asean Master Plan on Connectivity that focused on enhancing physical connectivity, institutional connectivity and people connectivity. Now Asean has a second master plan on connectivity emphasising digital connectivity, logistics connectivity and regulatory connectivity.
Connectivity is one of the 4Cs of Asean which are key pillars for Asean. The other Cs are Asean community, charter, and centrality. These are important issues facing Asean. The Asean Community is now a reality with the Asean Economic Community coming into effect in 2015. The Asean Political and Security Community and the Asean Social and Cultural Community are also in place.
But more must be done to strengthen the other newer Cs challenges facing Asean – consciousness and China, in particular the South China Sea. China is an important strategic partner for Asean and the biggest trading partner for Asean. Asean must continue to work and engage with China but the South China Sea must remain open to freedom of navigation and both China and Asean need to conclude the code of conduct on the South China Sea.
Asean consciousness needs to be strengthened especially among the younger generation so as to create a better sense of belonging to Asean. Asean must remain relevant to next generation leaders, hence the importance of creating Asean consciousness among the youths and students in the region.
Asean should also review the Asean Charter by enhancing the promotion and protection of human rights as well as deciding on the traditional practice of consensual decision making. Making decisions on consensus only allows Asean to achieve the lowest common denominators. Asean must have stretch goals and push the envelope to make a quantum leap forward and the consensus approach needs to be reviewed. This will also speed up decision making in Asean.
Asean need to also pursue the 3 Rs – responsiveness, relevance and rights (the protection of human rights).
Going forward, Asean must also prioritise digital transformation, sustainability,and SME business continuity.
I would like to also propose that, to make Asean more relevant to the younger generation, an Asean Youth Parliament be established.
With the growing emphasis on and importance of sustainability and to strive towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs), the leaders should also establish an Asean Sustainability Commission with representation from government , business and civil society.
To fight the Covid-19 pandemic, Asean needs to beef up public health security as well as strengthen food security, job security and cyber security.
While wishing Asean a “Happy 43rd Birthday”, I hope Asean will push the envelope to scale greater heights .
Tan Sri Michael Yeoh
Chairman
Asean Leadership and Partnership Forum
